The Switchyard, a $120-million mixed-use development that is set to become Queen Creek’s first walkable and design-forward district, has officially broken ground. Spearheaded by real estate firm Creation in partnership with Horizon Real Estate Ltd., the new project promises a blend of dining, retail, office, and residential spaces in the heart of Queen Creek.
Located at the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo, the 10-acre development will include 54,000 square feet of commercial space and a 215-unit luxury apartment community, with residential construction set to begin later this year. Among the first confirmed tenants are several standout names: Snooze A.M. Eatery, Shake Shack, and Postino. Nearly all the remaining commercial spaces are in lease negotiations, with more tenants to be announced soon. The first phase is expected to be complete by mid-2026.
“The Switchyard represents Queen Creek’s first true walkable, mixed-use development, marking a milestone in the town’s continued growth and evolution,” says David Sellers, co-founder of Creation, in a press release. “With construction now underway, we’re eager to see this place come to life, seamlessly blending retail, dining, office spaces, apartments, and a vibrant outdoor environment. This will be a distinctive, community-centric destination unlike anything else in Queen Creek.”
To commemorate the start of construction, town leaders, including Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley and Vice Mayor Leah Martineau, attended a celebratory groundbreaking event. As part of the festivities, The Switchyard donated $25,000 to Ryan House, a nonprofit offering respite and palliative care services to families facing life-limiting or end-of-life journeys.
“Queen Creek is excited for The Switchyard project to break ground! It is one of several projects underway in our Town Center area that will help us bring the vision of our downtown core to life,” says Mayor Wheatley, in a recent press release. “The Switchyard’s exciting project announcements align with our strategic priority of creating a quality lifestyle here in Queen Creek, as they will provide our residents with additional dining, retail, residential, and office opportunities.”
The project was designed by Dallas-based GFF Design, a firm known for award-winning mixed-use developments, with construction being led by LGE Design Build, one of Southwest’s top design-build construction companies.
“Horizon is proud to further our relationship with Creation through the development of The Switchyard,” says Enzo Gabrielli, president of Horizon Real Estate Ltd, in a press release. “We’re strong believers in the demand for high-quality retail and mixed-use environments in Queen Creek, and Creation’s design-forward approach positions this project well for future success.”
For Creation, The Switchyard is one of many high-profile projects across the Valley, joining a portfolio that includes Thunderbird Commerce Park and The Loop in Scottsdale, Park Algodon in Phoenix, and Heritage Park in Gilbert.
For more information, visit www.switchyardaz.com.